Greenlight To Host ‘Shark Tank’ In Flint

FLINT — Do you have a well-thought out business idea? Apply now to be one of the entrepreneurs chosen to compete in Flint’s own “Shark Tank” style business competition in January. The deadline to register online is Monday, Dec. 15.

Ten selected finalists will compete for a total of $10,000 in cash prizes in the “Greenlight Flint Business Model Competition.” The finalists will pitch their business concepts at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Jan. 22.

Greenlight Flint is the region’s largest-ever business pitch competition. It will bring a variety of entrepreneurs from the region to pitch their ideas to a qualified panel of judges. Finalists will compete in front of a live audience, then have the opportunity to network with angel and venture capital investors from the area.

The top prize will be at least $5,000, and additional cash prizes will be awarded in multiple categories. The public is invited to register to be in the live audience, and to attend the networking mixer and awards presentation that follows.

The winner of Greenlight Flint will be invited to present at the Greenlight Michigan event on March 31 in East Lansing, when the top prize will be $25,000, and a total of $50,000 will be awarded in multiple categories.

The Greenlight Flint competition is open to all those with a business idea, including students and business professionals. If you already have a registered business entity, it must be a State of Michigan based business that has been in existence for one year or less (earliest incorporation date of 3/31/14). Funds awarded in this pitch event are to be utilized to start or propel business ventures in the Flint area.

Greenlight Flint is coordinated and sponsored by Spartan Innovations, the Michigan State University business incubator; the Michigan Economic Development Corp.; and the Flint Area Reinvestment Office. The event aims to expand entrepreneurship and small business success in the Flint area.
Find out more at www.greenlightflint.com.